Respiratory Therapist - NICU/PICU
Columbia, SC
Host Healthcare
3x12 hrs, Nights
Referral Bonus
$2,066/weekOverview
- Start Date04/20/2026
- Shift Breakdown3x12 hrs
- ShiftNights
- Duration13 weeks
Pay
Benefits
- Referral bonus
- School loan reimbursement
- Vision benefits
- Wellness and fitness programs
- Company provided housing options
- License and certification reimbursement
- Life insurance
- Medical benefits
- Mileage reimbursement
- Pet insurance
- Discount program
- Employee assistance programs
- Guaranteed Hours
- Health savings account
- Holiday Pay
- 401k retirement plan
- Continuing Education
- Dental benefits
Description
Job Opportunity: Respiratory Therapist - NICU
Location: Columbia, South Carolina
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks
Job Summary
Seeking a Respiratory Therapist with significant experience in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). This role requires working primarily with neonatal and pediatric patients in a hospital setting.
Schedule
- Shift: 7:00 PM to 7:30 AM
- 3 shifts per week (12-hour shifts, total 36 hours)
- Workdays: Monday through Friday
- Weekend: Every other weekend
- On-call: Three calls in a 6-week period from 5 PM to 8 PM
Required Experience
- Minimum 3 years of experience in a Children's hospital NICU and PICU setting
- Significant experience specifically in Neonatal/Children’s respiratory care
Required Licenses & Certifications
- South Carolina Respiratory Therapist License (CRT or RRT)
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
- Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) - Advanced AHA certification only
- Proof of national respiratory therapy certification (NBRC RRT or CRT) within 30 days of start
Required Qualifications & Compliance
- Valid Respiratory Therapist license in South Carolina
- Minimum 3 years of Respiratory Therapist experience, including within the last year
- Experience working with Neonate or Pediatric patients
- Significant NICU experience
- Significant PICU experience
- 3 years of experience in children's hospital NICU and PICU
- Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification
- Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification
- Must have completed a 7-year background check within 12 months of start
- Drug screening within 1 year and updated annually
- Physical exam within 1 year attesting ability to meet physical demands
- Immunizations and health documents including:
- Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap (within 10 years)
- Negative TB test or chest X-ray within 90 days of start
- Flu vaccine or approved exemption (seasonal requirement)
- Hepatitis B vaccination series, positive titer, or signed declination
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella immunity or vaccination documentation
- Respirator fit test to be completed onsite during orientation (N95 masks)
- Completion of required online orientation modules and pre-assignment testing within 72 hours of assignment
- Compliance with medication and arrhythmia competency exams as applicable
Additional Requirements
- Must carry a valid driver’s license for computer access setup and ID while on duty
- Badge photo required prior to start (passport style, plain background)
- Completion of facility-specific compliance checklists and acknowledgments
- Annual completion of core competency training (Parts I, II, III) including OSHA, patient safety, and age-specific care
- Medication test/pharmacology competency exam required annually
- Must pass all required background and sanction checks (EPLS, SAM, OIG, OFAC) within 30 days of start and ongoing as required
Prior Travel Experience
- No explicit prior travel experience requirement stated
Summary
This is a travel Respiratory Therapist position focused on NICU/PICU care requiring at least 3 years of pediatric respiratory experience, appropriate South Carolina licensure, and multiple pediatric and neonatal certifications. The role involves night shifts with on-call responsibilities and requires compliance with extensive health, background, and competency documentation prior to start.
Note: All certifications must be current and cannot expire within 30 days of the assignment start date.
Employer
Host Healthcare
224 nurses recommend working with Host Healthcare
About Columbia, SC
As a Travel Respiratory Therapist in Columbia, SC here's what you should know:- Slightly lower than the national average, making it an affordable city to live in.
- Wages generally match up with the cost of living.
- Average summer highs of 92°F and lows of 71°F.
- Average winter highs of 57°F and lows of 36°F.
- Plenty of options for short term rentals, with furnished apartments and homes available.
- Relatively easy to find through local rental agencies and online platforms.
- Car-friendly city with well-maintained roads and highways.
- Limited public transportation options, so having a car is recommended for getting around.
- Diverse population with a wide age range.
- Common health issues include allergies and asthma due to pollen levels.
- Columbia has a growing population of travel nurses.
- Abundance of restaurants offering diverse cuisines, vibrant art scene with impressive murals and art galleries, music venues, and annual events like Greekfest and Riverfest.
- Outdoor activities include Riverfront Park, Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens, and the Soda City Market.
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